Handle controlled recliner rocker lounger

ABSTRACT

This design combines a handle and pressure operation linkage in a recliner-rocker in which the seat and side arms are one unit. The handle operation precludes the necessity of movement between the seat and arms for activation of the linkage, allowing Tee cushion styling, and also allowing the arms to remain in a more useful position relative to the occupant&#39;&#39;s comfort. The pressure activation linkage affords more occupant control. The foot rest is locked in retracted position by past-center linkage to restrain linkage movement, and the foot rest is held in projected position by on-center position of the pivots in the handle, bell crank and actuator link which control the foot rest linkage. This invention relates to recliner-rockers and foot rest linkages and controls therefor.

United States Patent 1 1 Rogers, JrQet al.

[ HANDLE CONTROLLED RECLINER ROCKER LOUNGER [75] Inventors: Walter C. Rogers, Jr., High Point;

Morton Snitzer, Rocky Mount, both of NC,

[73] Assignee: Cleveland Chair Company, Inc.,

Cleveland, Tenn.

[22] Filed: Dec. 10, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 96,781

[ 1 Oct. 23, 1973 Attorney-J. B. Felshin [57] ABSTRACT This design combines a handle and pressure operation linkage in a recliner-rocker in which the seat and side arms are one unit. The handle operation precludes the necessity of movement between the seat and arms for activation of the linkage, allowing Tee cushion styling, and also allowing the arms to remain in a more useful position relative to the occupants comfort. The pressure activation linkage affords more occupant control. The foot rest is locked in retracted position by pastcenter linkage to restrain linkage movement, and the foot rest is held in projected position by on-center position of the pivots in the handle, bell crank and actuator link which control the foot rest linkage.

This invention relates to recliner-rockers and foot rest linkages and controls therefor.

2 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures sum magma 1 PAnimmnmza 191s 3.767.257 SHEET 1 BF 5 FIG. I

INVENTORS' WALTER C. ROGERS- 2 MORTON S/WTZER ATTORNEY PAIENIEMmza ma 3.767.257

, SHEET '4 BF 5 INV EN TORS WALTER C. ROGER-SIR. BY MORTON J/V/TZER A TI'ORIVE Y HANDLE CONTPIGILLED RECLHNER ROCKER LGIUNGER An object of this invention is to provide a reclinerrocker lounger or recliner-rocker rester construction of the character described in which the chair arms and seat are one unit; in which projection and retraction of the foot rest linkage is controlled by a handle which can be operated by the occupant only when the chair is in upright position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rocker-recliner lounger construction of the character described in which the seat and back rest are moved from upright or sitting position, to T.V. position when the foot rest is projected and then moved to fully reclined position by body pressure of the occupant; and in which the handle operated mechanism includes means to lock the foot rest linkage in retracted position and to hold the foot rest in projected positionagainst movement unless the handle is actuated, to thereby hold the weight of the legs on the projected foot rest.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a construction of the character described in which the seat cannot be reclined from upright position without first extending the foot rest; and in which the foot rest cannot be extended with the chair in rocked back position.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a construction of the character described in which the seat cannot be rocked back in T. V. or fully reclined positions, with the foot rest extended. Although in the present design, both the seat and side arms move rearwardly together when the handle activates the linkage to extend the foot rest, the occupants weight still moves rearwardly of the balance point of the rocker cams and springs. However, means is provided to prevent overbalance. Even though the chair can be rocked forwardly in T. V. position or fully reclined position, there isnt sufficient weight distribution forward of the rocker cams to cause it to do so.

A further object of this invention is to provide a construction of the character described in which you cannot recline from a rocked back position.

A still further object of this invention'is to provide in a construction of the character described, handle control means for activating the foot rest linkage including a bell crank end of the handle which travels past dead center when the handle, on one side of the chair, is closed, to allow a control link which connects the handle with the foot rest linkage to become a tension member for holding the foot rest closed on the handle side of the chair, and also including means to transfer this function to an opposite side of the chair.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a strong and durable construction of the character described which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to manipulate, comfortable to use, and which shall yet be practical and efficient to a high degree.

As to the lounger, the closed handle position is pastcenter to restrain linkage movement. The handle has free motion while moving from this past-center position at any rock position. Further movement of the handle activates the linkage to partially reclined (T.V.) position, but the cam has to first move to upright position. As the linkage activates, these following things happen simultaneously:

a: the foot rest extends b: the means for preventing movement to fully reclined position, disengages c: the seat and back frames move to an overbalanced (to the rear) position on the rocker cams d: the rocker block means activates to hold the rocker cam in the desired upright position.

In the rocked back position, there is little, if any, free movement of the linkage before the rocker block means begins to function.

The lounger can be started to activate in the rocked back position by moving the handle from its past-center (locked) position. However, the only way the foot rest can continue to move to projected position is for the cam to move to upright position, once the rocker block begins to function. Whether the movement of the handle forces the cam to return to upright position or whether the cam moving to upright position allows continued movement of the handle is a matter of the occupants control.

The rester is a base-rocker with a handle operated foot rest and rocker block. It has a closed (rocking) position and an open (T.V.) position with an infinite number of positions in between but has no fully reclined position, as in the lounger. The chair arms, seat and back are one rigid unit, so that the operation does not depend on pushing the arms.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of invention will be indicated in the following claims.

IN THE DRAWING FIG. I is a side elevational view of a chair and hardware and linkage therefor, embodying the invention showing the upright or sitting position of the chair;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the linkage of FIG. l in T. V. position and not rocked back;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the linkage of FIG. 2, in fully reclined position, but not rocked back;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the linkage of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the handle and it rotary support, taken in the direction of the arrows marked 5-5 on FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a rester embody ing the invention and shown in an upright position with the foot rest retracted;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the structure of FIG. 7 with the foot rest projected;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the linkage mechanism in retracted position; and

FIG. It) is a partial perspective view of the mechanism on the side of the chair opposite to the side shown in FIG. 9.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, 10 designates a chair embodying the invention. Said chair comprises a side arm frame 11 to the inner sides of which are attached seat links 12. The seat 13: of the chair is fixed with respect to the side arm frame, to support a T- cushion 15., The chair further comprises a back rest 16 movably connected to the seat in the manner hereinafter explained.

Below the seat is a platform 18 on which are rockingly mounted rocker cams 19 connected to the platform by usual springs, not shown, in the manner well understood in the art. Fixed to the insides of the rocker cams 119 are support plates 20.

Means is provided at each side of the chair, to connect said plates 20 with said seat links 12 and backrest 16. Since the connecting means is the same and symmetrically disposed at both sides of the chair; only the mechanism at one side is shown in the drawing and will be described. The inner view of the linkage on the right side of the chair is shown in FIGS. ll, 2 and 3 of the drawing.

The seat link 12 has a straight portion 1.2a which is slightly tilted upwardly and forwardly in the upright position of the chair, as shown in FIG. I. Extending upwardly and inclined rearwardly is an arm 12b. Arm 12a is fixed to seat 13.

In the upright position of the chair, plate 20 extends horizontally but is in a vertical plane. Hinged to the upper end of arm 12b, as by pivot 21, is a back rest link 22. Link 22 is V-shaped, having an arm 22a forming an angle with an arm 2211 joined thereto at an apex 22c. Back-rest link 22 is fixed to the lower end of the back rest 16 in any suitable manner. The pivot 21 is located at the forward end of arm 22a.

Pivoted to the plate 20, as on pivot 24, is a front carrier link 25 having a downwardly extending arm 25a and a forwardly extending arm 25!). Pivoted, as at 26, to the rear end of plate 20 is a rear carrier link 27-having a downwardly extending arm 27a and a forwardly and upwardly extending arm 27b. Arms 25a and 27a are interconnected by a connecting link 28 by means of pivots 29 and 39, respectively.

Pivoted to the front end of arm 25b of link 25, as at 31, is a forward supporting member 32 having an upwardly extending arm 32a pivoted to seat link 12, as at 33. Said member 32 has a rearwardly extending arm 32b which carries the pivot 31. Arms 32a, 32b are substantially at right angles to one another and form an apex 32c.

Pivoted to the front end of seat link arm 12a, as by rivet 34 is a link 35. Fixed to link 35 by said rivet 34 is an angular bracket 36 (FIG. 6), having an arm 36a running horizontally and from which there extends an arm 36b disposed in a vertical plane. Arm 36b is fixed to link 35 by a rivet 33. Thus, bracket 36 and link 35 pivot together relative to seat link 12. Brackets 36 at opposite sides of the chair, are interconnected by a torque tube 40 which is bolted by bolt 41 to bracket arms 36a and may be welded to bracket arms 36b.

Pivoted to the rivet 33 is one end of link 42. The other end of link 42 is pivoted by pivot 4-3 to the outer end of arm 32b of member 32.

At the apex 320 of member 32, is a pivot 44 which pivotally connects to one end of a link 45. The other end of link 45 is pivoted, as at 46, to one end of a crossing link 47. Link 47 is pivoted, as at 48, to link 35 which crosses said link 47. The outer end of link 47 is pivoted, as at 49, to one end of link Eli, and the outer end of link 35 is pivoted, as at 51, to a link 52. Links 50, 52 cross one another and are interpivoted by pivot 53. The outer end of link 52 is pivoted, as at 54, to a foot-rest 55. The foot-rest 55 interconnects the linkage at both sides of the chair. The outer end of link 50 is pivoted, as at 56, to one end of a link 57 which is pivoted as at 58 to said foot-rest 55. Handle controlled means is provided to project and retract the lazy-tong foot rest linkage. To this end, there is fixed to seat link arm 12a, at the right side of the chair, a handle harness or bracket 60 (FIGS. 4 and 5). Bracket 60 comprises a plate 61 disposed in a vertical plane and fixed to seat link arm 112a by rivets 62 and projecting downwardly from said seat link arm. Fixed to plate 61 and to said link arm 12a, is a member 62a having a flange 63 contacting the upper portion of plate 61 and riveted thereto by said riverts 62. Extending outwardly from flange 63, through an arm the chair, is a horizontal web 64 from the outer end of which there extends downwardly, a flange 65 formed with a square opening 66. Within said opening 66 is a nylon bearing 66a having a round bearing opening 66b. A bell crank 68 has a crank arm 69 which extends rearwardly, in the retracted position of the foot-rest. Said bell crank 68 has a transverse horizontal arm 70. It extends toward opening 66b but is offset therefrom. Riveted, as at 71, to said arm 70 is a transverse shaft 72 which passes through and is journalled in bearing opening 66b. Shaft 72 has a foot 73 to which a handle 75 is fixed. Handle 75 is exposed and is located at the right side of the chair. When the footrest is in retracted position, as shown in FIG. 1., said handle projects forwardly.

The outer end of arm 69 of bell crank 68 is pivoted, as at 77, to one end of a link 78. The opposite end of link 78 is pivoted as at '79 to link 42. Pivot 79 is located between the ends of link 42, but closer to pivot 38 than to pivot 43. When the foot-rest linkage is retracted, as shown in FlG. l, the pivot 77 is past dead center, being past a line passing through pivot 79, and the axis of shaft 72, to lock said foot-rest linkage in retracted position, placing link 78 in tension to prevent projection of the foot-rest linkage unless the handle is rotated in a clockwise direction, looking at FIG. 1. Rotation of said handle through about 180 will project the laxy tong foot-rest linkage as will appear hereinafter.

Pivoted to the upper end of arm 27b of member 27, as at 30, is a rear supporting member 81. Member 81 has an upper arm 81a pivoted as at 82 to seat link 12 adjacent the rear end of its arm 12a. In the upright position of the chair, arm 81a extends upwardly from pivot 80. Member 81 has an arm 81b which projects downwardly and forwardly in the upright position of the chair as illustrated in FIG. 1. Arm 81b has a longitudinal slot 83.

Pivoted to plate 20 as at 84 is an arm 85 carrying a pin 86 slidably received in slot 83. In the FIG. 1 position of the chair, pin 86 is disposed at the lower end of slot 83. in said FIG. 1 position of the chair, pivots 84 and are coaxial.

At the apex 220 of link 22, is a pivot 90. Pivotecl to said link 22, by means of said pivot 90, is a rear carrier link 91. Said rear carrier link 911 is pivoted to the rear end of plate 20 by pivot 92. Pivoted to the upper end of plate 20, as at 92a, is one end of a link 93. Link 93 extends rearwardly from pivot 92, and is formed with a longitudinal slot 941. Pivoted to link 91, as at 95, is one end of a link 96 which carries a pin 97 slidably received in said slot 94 of link 93. Pivoted to the rear end of link 93, as at 98, is a rocker control link 99. Pivoted to the lower end of link 99 as at Mill is a bracket lilll which is fixed to the platform 18 adjacent the rear end of the latter. In the upright position of the chair, pins 92 and 97 are almost coaxial.

On plate 20 is a stop M13 in the plane of the arm 27b of member 27.

As the chair is rocked backwardly from the upright position of the chair (with the foot-rest linkage retracted), link 96 is swung in a counter clockwise direction, looking at H6. 1. in the upright position, pin 97 of link 96 is at an intermediate point in slot 94 of link 93. As the chair rocks backwardly, the pin 97 moves toward the outer or rear end of said slot 94.

When the foot-rest linkage is retracted the chair can be rocked back and forth as the pin 97 moves back and forth in slot 94 The handle 75 may be swung back to extend the footrest linkage when the chair is upright, as in FIG. 1. However, if the chair is first rocked back, the foot rest linkage cannot be extended because to extend the foot rest linkage, link 91 must swing in a clockwise direction about pivot 92, which it cannot do in the rocked back position of the linkage. In the upright position, extension of the foot-rest will rotate link M. Said link 91 can swing in a clockwise direction, in the upright position of the chair, because pins 22 and 97 are substantially coaxial when the chair is not rocked back. However, as the chair is rocked back, pins 92 and 27 separate to prevent link 9i from rotating about pin 92, because if 25 it did, then link 96 would have to rotate about pin 97 (because link 26 is pivoted to link 91 and 95), which it cannot do.

It will be noted that when the foot rest linkage is projected, the seat link 12, and hence the side arms and seat of the chair, move back together therewith, and the chair moves to the T. V. position of FIG. 2. During such movement, the seat link not only moves back but tilts upwardly and forwardly, and it swings the link 22 in a clockwise direction, thereby causing link 91 to rotate about pivot 92. Swinging of link 22 in a clockwise direction swings the back rest 16 rearwardly to said T. V. position. The T. V. position of the chair is shown in FIG. 2. During movement to T. V. position link 8i rotates in a clockwise direction. in upright position the linkage cannot move to fully reclined position unless the foot-rest is first extended to move the chair to T. V. position. I

To move to fully reclined position, link 27 would have to swing in a clockwise direction. To do so from upright position it would have to move link 81 up wardly, which cannot be done since pin 86 of link 85 (which is pinned to plate 26D) is at the lower end of slot 83.

However, in the T. V. position of chair, link b5 and arm 81b of link 81 are substantially in horizontal position, thereby allowing swinging of link 27 in a clockwise direction until it strikes stop MP3, as shown in FIG. 3, which shows the fully reclined position of the chair. Hence the linkage cannot be moved from upright to fully reclined position without first projecting the footrest mechanism as the linkage moves to TV. position.

From the fully reclined position of the chair, it must be first moved to the T. V. position before the foot-rest linkage can be retracted. From T. V. position, the footrest linkage can be retracted by pressing down on the foot-rest to a number of comfortable positions.

Although the foot rest linkage cannot be extended while the chair remains in rocked back position, it should be noted that if attempt is made to operate the handle while the chair is in rocked back position, the chair would have to first move out of rocked back position and into upright position, and then the foot rest linkage would be extended.

it will be noted that in the projected position of the footrest, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, pivots 79 and '77 and the axis of shaft '72 (and opening 66a) are in alignment, so that the weight of the occupants legs will not retract the foot rest. The foot rest will remain projected until the handle is rotated forwardly.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 to ill of the drawing numeral 2llll designates a rester embodying the invention.

Said rester 20h comprises a base or platform 201 on which cams 2tl2 rock. Fixed to the outer sides of the rock cams 2&2 are support plates 203. The linkage mechanisms to be described are at the outside of the rocker cams. The mechanisms on both sides are substantially similar and symmetrically disposed. The mechanism on one side only will be described, except for variations between the mechanisms on both sides. Pivoted to the rear end of plate 203, as at 204, is a bellcrank shaped roller block member 2ll5 having, in the retracted postiion of the foot rest, to be described hereinafter, a rearwardly extending arm 207 from the forward end of which, an arm 208 extends upwardly and is pivoted, as at 209 to the rear end of a seat link 2H0. The seat link is fixed to the seat frame 2131 which is ridgidly connected as a single unit with the chair arm frame 2M and backrest 212. At the outer end of arm 207 is a roller 213 adapted to contact the base 2011 when the foot rest, to be described hereinafter, is projected and the seat frame is reclined to T.V. position, in the manner hereinafter appearing, to prevent backward rocking of the rocking cams 202 while the foot rest is in projected position and the seat frame is reclined.

The foot rest linkage 220 comprises a lever 221 pivoted to seat link 210, as at 222, and extending downwardly therefrom, in the retracted position of said linkage, as shown in FIGS. '7 and 9 of the drawing. Said lever 221 is pivoted at an intermediate position thereof, as at 224%, to a forward extension 226 of plate 2%. Pivoted to the lower end of lever 224), as at 227, is a lever 228. Pivoted to the forward end of seat link 2MB, as at 229 is a lever 230 which crosses link 2228, and is interpivoted thereto, as at 231. l ivoted to the lower end of lever 230), as at 232, is a link 234. The upper ends of lever 228 and link 22% are pivoted, as at 235, 236, respectively, to an ottoman or foot rest supporting memher or link 237.. Fixed to lever 22h, as by rivets 23% is a bracket 24b having a transversely extending arm 241 which is riveted, as at 2412, to a transverse rigid bar or rod 244.. The opposite end of the rod 244, is riveted (FlG. lib), as at 247, to a bracket 24% which is riveted, as at 23%, to a lever 224) located on the opposite side of the chair. The brackets 24b and 24% are similar and symmetrically disposed, except that while bracket 2 38 terminates where it is riveted to its lever 22h, bracket 240 has a rearwardly extending arm 25% for connection to an operating handle in the manner described hereinafter.

Attached to the seat link at the right side of the chair is bracket 255 having a vertical depending wall 256.. Attached to bracket 255 is a second bracket 27 having a vertical depending wall 258 parallel to and spaced from wall ass. Wall 25% is formed with a square opening 2%! receiving a square nylon bearing 26th Bearing 26b is formed with a round bearing opening 261. Extending through and journalled in bearing opening 261 is a square shaft 262 formed with an offset arm 263. Fixed to arm 263 is a handle 264. Attached to one side of the portion of shaft 262 which is located between walls 256, 257, is an arm 265 of an angle bracket 266. Bracket 266 has an arm 267 which extends rearwardly from arm 265, in the retracted position of the foot rest, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. Pivoted tothe outer end of arm 267 as at 268, is a link 269. One end of link 269 is pivoted, as at 270, to the rear end of arm 250. Link 269 extends under arm 265 of bracket 266 in the retracted position of the footrest, as illustrated in FIG. 9. However, link 269 has an extension 272 which extends beyond pivot 268. Extension 272 carries a pin 273 to contact the underside of arm 267 when the footrest is extended, as shown in FIG. 8.

It will now be understood that in the retracted position of the footrest linkage, handle 261 projects forwardly. In such position, pivot 268 is past-center of line passing through the axis of bearing opening 261 and pivot 270, to lock the foot rest in such retracted position. To project the footrest, the handle 264 is swung about 180 in a counterclockwise direction from the position of FIGS. 7 and 9, thus bringing pivots 270, 268 and the axis of bearing opening 261 into alignment or on-center position, to lock the footrest in projected position, and to prevent the weight of the occupants legs from causing retraction of the footrest.

As the footrest is projected, the seat link 210 together with the chair arms and backrest will be reclined and will move rearwardly relative to the cams 202 and base 201. The seat can only recline to T.V. position and does not move to fully reclined position, as does the seat in the lounger of FIGS. 1-6.

When the seat is reclined and the footrest is extended, bell crank 205 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction looking at FIG. 7, and the roller 213 contacts the top of base 201 to prevent backward rocking movement of the rocker cams.

In the rocked back position of the lounger there is little, if any, free movement of the linkage before the rocker block means begins to function.

There is more free motion of the linkage in the rester before the roller engages the base.

There are an infinite number of positions in between retracted rocking position and projected T.V. position in both the rester and the lounger.

It will thus be seen that there is provided an article in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative only.

We claim:

1. A chair comprising a chair arm frame, a seat fixed to said chair arm frame, a seatlink fixed to said seat, a support plate adapted to be fixed to a chair rocker cam and movable from an upright to a rocked backed, back position, means to connect said seat link to said support plate for movement from a sitting position of said seat link to a reclining position thereof, foot rest linkage, means to connect said linkage to said seat link and support plate, for movement of said linkage between retracted and projected positions thereof, manually oper ated means, and means controlled by movement of said manually operated means, to move said seat link rearwardly between sitting position and reclining position and to move said linkage between retracted position and projected position, said manually operated means comprising a handle, means to mount said handle on said seat link for rotation in opposite directions, about a horizontal transverse axis, said means controlled by movement of said handle comprising a crank arm on said handle, a link pivoted to said crank arm and to said linkage, and means to move the pivotal connection between said crank arm and link, past a plane passing through the pivotal connection of said link to said linkage and through said axis, when said linkage is retracted.

2. The combination of claim 1, and said pivotal connection of said crank arm to said link, said pivotal connection of said link to said linkage and said axis of rotation of said handle being substantially in the same plane, when said linkage is projected. 

1. A chair comprising a chair arm frame, a seat fixed to said chair arm frame, a seatlink fixed to said seat, a support plate adapted to be fixed to a chair rocker cam and movable from an upright to a rocked backed, back position, means to connect said seat link to said support plate for movement from a sitting position of said seat link to a reclining position thereof, foot rest linkage, means to connect said linkage to said seat link and support plate, for movement of said linkage between retracted and projected positions thereof, manually operated means, and means controlled by movement of said manually operated means, to move said seat link rearwardly between sitting position and reclining position and to move said linkage between retracted position and projected position, said manually operated means comprising a handle, means to mount said handle on said seat link for rotation in opposite directions, about a horizontal transverse axis, said means controlled by movement of said handle comprising a crank arm on said handle, a link pivoted to said crank arm and to said linkage, and means to move the pivotal connection between said crank arm and link, past a plane passing through the pivotal connection of said link to said linkage and through said axis, when said linkage is retracted.
 2. The combination of claim 1, and said pivotal connection of said crank arm to said link, said pivotal connection of said link to said linkage and said axis of rotation of said handle being substantially in the same plane, when said linkage is projected. 